59-2 
History and Habitat—The Swamp Willow-Herb is indigenous to North 
America, where it extends from the mountains of North Carolina, and from 
Southern Illinois, northward to the Arctic Circle. It habits high sphagnum swamps, — 
and flowers in July and August. 
Epilobium has proven itself a mild tonic and astringent, quite useful in slight 
types of diarrhcea and dysentery attended with colic, cramps in the stomach, and 
light typhoid abdominal symptoms. In irritation of the intestinal canal, followed 
by diarrhcea and some tympanitis, it has often proved quite beneficial in the hands 
of our Eclectic physicians. : 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, while in flower, 
should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed; then two parts by 
weight of alcohol taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, 
and the rest of the alcohol added. Pour the whole into a well-stoppered bottle, 
and allow it to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, shaking twice a day. The 
tincture, prepared from this mass by decanting, pressing, and filtering, should have 
a light yellowish-brown color by transmitted light ; a smooth, then ast taste, 
and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis of this plant has so far been 
made. It contains, however, tannin and gallic acid, beside the usual plant ¢ con 
stituents. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The experiments of Dr. Wright, who took from 
one-half to one ounce of the tincture, caused some symptoms that must have been 
due to so large a “drink.” Outside of the symptoms that we are prone to lay to 
the alcohol, the following also occurred: Salivation ; loose stools ; red urine; and 
chills, followed by feverishness and general aching throughout the body. 
A proving with the tincture prepared as here directed, should be made. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 59. 
oh inst plant from Appalachin, N. Y., July 26th, 1886. 
_ 2, A flower. 
3. Petal. 
4. Stamens. 
ee Se 
ee ee ee 
gag 3 gee 7 enlarged. ) 
